Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How have you been?
Today, we’re going to do one of my favorite things. Advocate for a lesser-known artist. Sometimes we at SWT spotlight humans from distant lands with various perspectives based on their roots, and upbringing during their formative years. Other times, the spotlight is shone closer to your own backyard. Regardless, while you’re here at SWT you can trust that we’ve done our diligence to ensure that it’s not only good music but also from an excellent human or group.
This review is about a Midwest singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who should be heard by everyone single one reading this. Regardless of what music you find yourself leaning on, I am confident you’ll leave this review with the opinion that Nathan Honoré’s music is objective good. Honoré’s best known in the MKE area as his moniker Next Paperback Hero. Reader, what does that phrase bring to mind to you? To me, his moniker conjures a sense of adventure and travel, searching and generations of authors frustratedly competition with themselves and others trying to write the next great novel and/or become revered as a hero of paperback format. Achieving what many have sought but so few have completed. Considering all of that and both listening to and reading Honoré’s songs, I’ll say that the Next Paperback Hero moniker is fitting and he’s on the right path; as his approach to lyrics is literate, and he shows a reverence to literature and appreciation for the spoken word. On top of that, the moniker also shares his initials.
Next Paperback Hero’s debut album, Morning Skies & Heavy Eyes (2021), and the follow-up, Nowhere To Run EP (2022), both garnered praise from the local Milwaukee press. Both works showcased Honoré’s reassuring baritone vocals, his songwriting and multiple instruments. Don’t think full band with rock sound, or a band with a sax or trumpet, rather think sparser, with quieter guitars, strings and percussion. Before those two releases, Next Paperback Hero also released three EPs: reboot EP (2018), Christmas Eve EP (2018) and The Next Time EP (2019).
And on Tuesday July 16th his second full length album, Waves was self-released for your listening pleasure. The result? A stripped-down version of Next Paperback Hero in all the best ways, the album is beautiful singer-songwriter masterpiece, using only two other people to create all the music. His wife, Kristen provided stunning vocals and Jon Harris Jr provided excellent drumming.
From his press release Nathan states: “The last few years have all been pretty positive for me on the music side of my life. But the hustle and ‘what’s next’ nature of things left me feeling emotionally drained and directionless. I tried to look ahead to the next release, but that next step felt elusive and actually resulted in a big creative block. One morning I brought out my old four-track machine just to see what it would be like after years and years of recording with my computer. Two hours felt like ten minutes, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had that much fun making music. It started to become clear that I needed to go back to how I made music in high school, embrace the imperfection, follow that feeling of fun, and not give a shit if anyone else liked it. I rearranged and rewrote nearly every song on the record in a few weeks and started recording.”
Giving credit where it’s due. Album credits for Waves:
- Nathan Honoré: songwriter, lead vocals, performed guitars, organ, tambourine, harmonium, piano, percussion, synthesizer, and bells. He also produced, recorded and mixed the album.
- Jon Harris Jr: drum set performed on all tracks with drums; “Tip of My Toes”, “Teardrops In the Water”, “I Don’t Know” and “Halloween”
- Kristen Honoré: provided vocals on “Rainy Afternoon” and “Aftershock & Vibration”
- Josh Evert mastered the album at Silver City Studios
- Sahan Jayasuriya took the album cover photo
And now some hype from their awesome Bandcamp page! Please scroll to the right for more songs from the album!
Overall, the listener gets foreshadowing of what Waves will be before they even hear the first song, based on word choice of the album title and the connotation it has with multiple meanings, and also the Midwestern winter scene cover photo. Listening further confirms some common themes, but the first-time listener to Honoré may not be ready for how well he writes, articulates and conveys his messages through the lyrics. It’s a skill not every songwriter is this good at. On top of that, his voice is incredible, it captures your ear and provides a lot of cozy, familiarity in the best ways. Comforting to many. The choices he makes work throughout the album. He’s also a damn good musician and arranger, having played multiple instruments and offered differing but excellent melodies and rhythms for each song. The songs flow well from one to the next, united thematically as part of a large thing but also retaining their own individuality. It’s not a concept album, nor a random collection of songs. Honoré superbly chose to work with Harris Jr. on drums and his wife Kristen on additional vocals and the project is better with both of their involvement. There’s great sound on Waves overall but kudos to Josh Evert’s mastering of the Honoré’s mix. There’s truly a lot to like about this album even for the average music listener. For some artists, this would be their magnus opus; their best work, for Honoré, it’s another step along his journey.
The propulsive chord progression of Honoré’s guitar sets the rhythmic tone for the opening song, “Tip of My Toes” from the first few notes. Harris Jr. joins soon after on drums to steady the melody perfectly. The organ is showcased in this song as well and the tambourine adds some fullness to the rhythm. Honoré’s vivid lyrics paint a relatable scene of standing on a sandy beach with your feet affected by the water, but ultimately serving as an allegory for someone processing some mental and emotional health.
“Teardrops In the Water” is anchored by some gorgeous acoustic and electric guitars, drum and harmonium work. All four intertwine well to create a harmonious melody that is catchy in nature and triumphant at times. Honoré again uses succinct word choice to paint a water related picture as one also processes a relationship that is undergoing some tumult.
The next song, “Rainy Afternoon” begins with some sweet played piano notes. Followed by Nathan Honoré’s vocals. Soon after joined by Kristen Honoré as they pair to create lovely harmonies. Their vocal tones are distinct enough and yet wonderfully complimentary. Kristen actually overshadows Nathan on this one as her delivery conveys even more emotion and variance. The water from the beach in the previous two songs has been absorbed now into the clouds? The lyrics tell of a rainy afternoon that is shared by a couple in love riding out inclement times, eager for the much beloved, calm after the storm.
It seems we didn’t get beyond the storm as we intended within the lyrics for “Water Street” In fact this storm is far worse than the small drizzle of precipitation within the previous song, the listener will hear lyrics about waves and being washed away. Despite some weariness the lyrics ultimately look forward to a date in the near future. The melody is anchored but Honoré’s acoustic and electric guitar chords and synth notes. The synthesizer’s higher notes really add to the creation of glimpses of an optimistic mood.
“I Don’t Know” is a contemplative and balladic at times. The lyrics are contemplative and reflective. Choices are examined, and there is still a mention of landscape. Specifically, terrain and height. The melody consists of Honoré is at the piano and guitars, with Harris Jr. at the drum kit. The rock-solid drumming from Harris Jr. allows Honoré’s instrumentation and vocals to shine through wonderfully.
The next song “Aftershock & Vibration” plants us within the cityscape of NYC. The melody is held together via a more aggressive strumming pattern on acoustic guitar. Nathan’s vocals are his most forceful on the album and his delivery matches the melody for a cohesive and affecting tone. Kristen Honoré joins Nathan once again on the refrains to really drive those home magnificently. The addition of the higher pitched notes from the synth produces a nice contrast to the other sounds. It works.
Early into “Halloween” and we have our first and only playing of bells. The addition of bells creates a more whimsical mood, which is paired with multiple guitars, a harmonium, Harris Jr. on drum kit and Honoré’s serene vocal delivery. Honoré veers from the serene and shows off his vocal range to drive certain lines home. The melody builds and crescendos in great fashion. The middle of the song gets us back on the water & waves theme. The lyrics are longing in nature, telling of Halloween but more specifically, avoidance, and the desire of being one’s current self.
The final song on Waves, “Pilot Light Lullabies” is another where Honoré’s piano playing really thrills and enchants and we see the final chapter of this particular story come to an end. Honoré’s vocals are sweet, confident and once again, well delivered in tone. The lyrics are the darkest yet, and still literate and articulate. The picture painted is both wonderfully vivid, and grave. The guitar work provides some nice depth to the piano based melody. Wow, what a journey this album has been.
Waves gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. I don’t know what else Honoré could have done to make this better. It’s what you seek in a singer songwriter album. Honoré proves he’s made huge strides as a storyteller. It’s truly an exquisite album and the choices made from melody to songwriting and lyrics to vocals to other performers are spectacular from start to finish. The album affects you. Our 4.5 Scum Drop Rating indicates that this record is somewhere between the 84th and 95th percentile of all releases this year. Right now, I’d place it in the middle of the range (88th-91st percentile). It’s definitely worth purchasing on the digital format of your choice. I hope it gets a proper vinyl release! Record labels, release this gem!
Waves Track listing (song length)
- Tip of My Toes (2:28)
- Teardrops In the Water (2:51)
- Rainy Afternoon (4:06)
- Water Street (3:16)
- I Don’t Know (3:18)
- Aftershock & Vibration (3:58)
- Halloween (4:10)
- Pilot Light Lullabies (3:34)
Total runtime: 27:41
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The process with this album from start to finish two times back-to-back will take you less than one hour. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
You can pick up this new album Waves via any digital platform you can think of, literally, can be found via this link. Nathan’s artist website with his socials, and more about him and his music is linked right here!
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
